The Environmental Protection Agency set stricter limits on the levels of certain PFAS chemicals in drinking water and is providing funding to test and treat public water systems and private wells.
Blog Archives
Opportunities for clean energy development in Appalachia from Inflation Reduction Act and other federal investments highlighted during White House event
In an event highlighting investments secured through the American Rescue Plan Act, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the CHIPS and Science Act and the Inflation Reduction Act in Tennessee, West Virginia and Kentucky, Appalachian Solar Finance Fund Director Autumn Long discussed how the fund’s work and impact have been amplified by federal investment in Central Appalachian states.
TAGS: ACT Now Coalition American Rescue Plan Appalachian Solar Finance Fund bipartisan infrastructure law Build Back Better Regional Challenge Chips and Science Act Empowering Rural America Program Inflation Reduction Act Powering Affordable Clean Energy Program rural energy for america program Tennessee Valley Authority
Proposed Regional Hydrogen Energy Hubs Raise Concerns
Two consortiums of power companies and other businesses are seeking federal funding for proposed regional hydrogen energy hubs. Most hydrogen energy production processes produce climate-altering emissions.
Reclaiming Appalachia Coalition report shows how mine cleanup can boost local economies
The Reclaiming Appalachia Coalition recently released its 2023 report, “National to Neighborhoods: Catalyzing Opportunities for Coal-Impacted Communities.” The report highlights the coalition’s current work and projects across the Appalachian coalfields of Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio and Kentucky.
TAGS: bipartisan infrastructure law Coalfield Development Downstream Strategies economic development Inflation Reduction Act just transition Kentucky Ohio RAC Reclaiming Appalachia Coalition Renewable Energy rural action Virginia West Virginia
35 Organizations endorse congressional appropriations roadmap to spur coal community economic development
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 1, 2023 Contact: Trey Pollard – trey@pollardcommunications.com – 202-904-9187 READ THE LETTERS HERE: Senate Letter and House Letter COAL COUNTRY – Local, regional and national leaders representing 35 organizations sent a letter to congressional leaders today…
TAGS: abandoned mine lands economic revitalization program Alliance for Appalachia Americorps appropriations bipartisan infrastructure law Chips and Science Act community and economic development Congress Friends For Environmental Justice Inflation Reduction Act Mine Safety and Health Administration Office of Suface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement USDA Rural Partners Network White House Interagency Working Group on Coal and Power Plant Communities and Economic Revitalization
McCarthy’s debt ceiling proposal guts economic revitalization efforts in coal communities
Today, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy unveiled bill text for a proposal to lift the debt ceiling while significantly reducing funding for government programs. The proposal includes provisions to repeal advanced manufacturing tax credits and advanced energy tax credits enacted as part of the Inflation Reduction Act, including bonus incentives for projects in “energy communities” designed to help communities impacted by coal mine closures and power plant closures recover and grow new clean energy job opportunities.
TAGS: bipartisan infrastructure law energy storage and manufacturing federal spending Inflation Reduction Act U.S. Congress
Biden Administration announces new actions to help energy communities take advantage of historic federal investments in clean energy
Today, the Biden Administration announced a series of actions intended to create jobs, opportunities and investments in energy communities, and to deploy clean energy projects on former mine lands. Appalachian Voices Executive Director Tom Cormons was invited to speak at the announcement.
TAGS: bipartisan infrastructure law Chips and Science Act clean energy Inflation Reduction Act just transition President Joe Biden White House Interagency Working Group on Coal and Power Plant Communities and Economic Revitalization
For Appalachian communities, the 117th Congress brought significant victories, but work remains
As the new Congress begins, we at Appalachian Voices are taking stock of the many victories achieved in the 117th Congress that just came to a close.
TAGS: 117th Congress abandoned mine lands Acid Mine Drainage AMLER bipartisan infrastructure law black lung association Inflation Reduction Act mountain valley pipeline omnibus spending bill President Joe Biden RECOMPETE program Sen. Joe Manchin STREAM Act Tennessee Valley Authority White House Interagency Working Group on Coal and Power Plant Communities and Economic Revitalization
Senate passes amended STREAM Act and sends it back to House
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 16, 2022 CONTACT Chelsea Barnes, (614) 205-6424, chelsea@appvoices.org Dan Radmacher, (540) 798-6683, dan@appvoices.org WASHINGTON, D.C. — Last night, by unanimous consent, the U.S. Senate passed the Safeguarding Treatment for the Restoration of Ecosystems from Abandoned Mines…
TAGS: abandoned mine lands Acid Mine Drainage bipartisan infrastructure law Eastern Pennsylvania Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation Friends of the Cheat Prairie Rivers Network RECLAIM Coalition Statewide Organizing for Community eMpowerment
New Virginia task force to host listening sessions and support community engagement
A state agency is taking the exciting step of holding listening sessions in Southwest Virginia to solicit local input on how the commonwealth can support the region’s economic future.
TAGS: bipartisan infrastructure law Department of Housing and Community Development Inflation Reduction Act Interagency Task Force Reenergize Southwest southwest virginia Virginia Energy
